Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who volunteer their time, talents and resources to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

Our members are a diverse group of like-minded women who work together using their expertise, business and professional skills and talents to support community-based and international projects that benefit women and girls. Membership to Soroptimist is by invitation.

There are over 3,000 Soroptimist clubs with about 90,000 members in about 125 countries and territories who contribute time, talent and resources to make the world a better place.

Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region (A Foundation) Inc. (SIPR) with 86 clubs and 1,924 members, is an affiliate of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), the largest of four federations comprising Soroptimist International. Please click here for the Soroptimist organizational structure.

Soroptimist International has General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESCO) and is represented in many meetings of its agencies around the world.

Soroptimist clubs all over the world recite the Soroptimist Pledge in every important club meeting and event.

For more information on Soroptimist, please visit www.soroptimist.org and www.soroptimist international.org.

The word Soroptimist comes from two Latin words, soror meaning sister and optima meaning best. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best.

The first Soroptimist club was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, USA by women who were interested in volunteer service but who were prohibited from joining all-male organizations. From then to the present, members have continued to achieve the best for women through various programs of service through Awareness, Advocacy and Action.

In 1928, various clubs in the United States formed a federation now called the Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA). Much later, SIA admitted new clubs from South America and Asia. Today, SIA has about 1,430 clubs with 38,171 members in 19 countries and territories, including the Philippines.

The beginnings of Soroptimist in the Philippines can be traced to two women - Mariquita S. Castelo, a Filipina and Betty Beck Prosser, an American - who shared a commitment to serve others and uplift the status of women. Together, they worked for the establishment of the first Soroptimist club in the Philippines.

In a beautiful ceremony in April 1964, the Charter Members of SI Founder Manila were inducted by then SIA President Pluma Batten and on May 6, 1966, the Officers were installed and the Club Charter was presented in a ceremony held at the Malacanang Palace with then First Lady Imelda R. Marcos as the guest of honor and speaker.

From ManIla, the spirit of Soroptimist spread to Davao, Baguio, Naga, Cebu, Cabanatuan, Iriga, Malolos, Daet, Dagupan and the rest of the country. Soroptimist thus flourished in the Philippines with 86 clubs and 1,924 members, continuing the same spirit of service that lives on through the untiring efforts and commitment of current Soroptimists.

Please click here for the listing of Past National Presidents and Governors

We will share our time, talents and resources to enrich our communities. Together, we will:

• improve the lives of women and girls
• help women achieve economic and political equality
• serve as a global voice for women
• provide outstanding leadership development opportunities for women
• enhance world peace and understanding

CORE VALUES
SIPR and its affiliate clubs are committed to:

• international goodwill and understanding
• promote volunteer action
• provide leadership development
• participate fellowship whilst recognizing diversity

ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY FOR BIENNIUM 2008-2010

Strategic Goals

1. Program. The efforts of SIPR to raise awareness of women's issues will enable women and girls to live better lives.

2. Membership. SIPR will be a thriving, dynamic, progressive and relevant organization of members who will find involvement in Soroptimist valuable, worthwhile and enjoyable.

3. Public Awareness. Soroptimist will be widely known for its efforts to improve the lives of women and girls.

4. Fundraising. Sufficient funds will exist for SIPR to accomplish its project goals.

PROGRAM - Goal #1

The efforts of SIPR to raise awareness of women’s issues will enable women and girls to lead better lives.

Objectives

• Encourage the participation of all clubs in SIPR in the Women’s Opportunity Awards program.
• Encourage the participation of all clubs in SIPR in at least one other community project whose sole beneficiaries are women or girls, preferably the Soroptimist STOP Trafficking Project .
• Encourage the support by all clubs in SIPR to least one Soroptimist International project by making a donation through SIPR.

Strategies/Tactics

• Promote the use of Soroptimist-produced materials in participating in the Women’s Opportunity Awards project.
• Persuade all clubs in SIPR to participate in projects that improve conditions for women and girls (Stop Trafficking Project, Elimination of Teen Dating Violence, Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence, Making a Difference for Women Award, Soroptimist Club Grants, Violet Richardson Award, Disaster Relief, Live Your Dream Campaign) , particularly those that will impart basic education, improve women’s health through family spacing, and provide training on livelihood skills.
• Promote club participation in SIPR’s identifying projects (Adopt-a-Barangay and Adopt-a-PNP Women and Children Desk).
• Encourage members to learn about conditions affecting women and girls, especially through Soroptimist magazines, newsletters, websites, white papers, conventions, conferences and workshops.
• Encourage all clubs in SIPR to engage in U.N.-sponsored activities that address women and girl issues.
  

MEMBERSHIP - Goal #2

SIPR will be a thriving, dynamic, progressive and relevant organization of members who will find involvement in Soroptimist valuable, worthwhile and enjoyable.

Objectives

• Each club in SIPR must recruit at least 4 new members during the year while increase member retention rates.
  
• Develop a new generation of members and leaders.
  
• Improve community awareness of SIPR through participation in community events.
  
• Increase member’s pride in the organization through meaningful projects that benefit women and girls.

Strategies/Tactics

• Encourage clubs to hold new member orientations at least once a year.
  
• Provide opportunities for better team work among SIPR clubs and members.
  
• Encourage the use of modern technology to promote better communication.
  
• Reward excellent club projects through the Governor’s Award Program.
  
• Provide members with meaningful leadership and volunteer opportunities.
  
• Reinforce value of membership and collective power of belonging to an international organization through various trainings and workshops.
  

PUBLIC AWARENESS - Goal #3

SIPR will be known throughout the community for our efforts to improve the lives of women and girls.

Objectives

• Gain publicity for women-focused activities in trimedia as well as in the SIPR website.
  
• Participate in the STOP Trafficking public awareness campaign.

Strategies/Tactics

• Promote the Women’s Opportunity Awards project and other Soroptimist projects such as the Soroptimist STOP Trafficking.
  
• Promote the concept of branding and the importance of mission focus in order to be known in the community.
  
• Encourage computer literacy as a tool for public awareness.
• Promote the use Soroptimist logo, tagline and mission whenever and wherever possible.
  

FUNDRAISING - Goal #4

Sufficient funds will exist for SIPR and its clubs to accomplish our program goals.

Objectives

• Raise enough money to fund SIPR and club projects.
  
• Establish the SIPR disaster relief fund for the immediate assistance of calamity victims.

Strategies/Tactics

• Promote the participation of all clubs in the SIPR Dream Raffle.
  
• Encourage the participation of all members in the “Puso sa Puso” SIPR Disaster Relief Fund.
  
• Encourage members to contribute at least $5.28 in Founders Pennies when paying dues.
  
• Encourage clubs to participate in SIA’s Annual Club Campaign, Laurel Society and Laurel Legacy.